10 things to know about this weekend’s Beaufort Shrimp Festival. Here’s 1: Expect 18,000
A ton of shrimp — literally — will be served at Beaufort’s Waterfront Park at the 30th Shrimp Festival this weekend, which celebrates the city’s historic ties to the sea.
A rubber shrimp race with a $30,000 first prize and a chance to get a photo taken with “Forrest Gump” are all part of the fun.
“It’s to highlight our shrimping industry we have in the Beaufort area,” Ashley Brandon, the city’s downtown manager and event coordinator, says of the two-day festival Friday and Saturday.
Here’s 10 things to know about one of the city’s biggest festivals on the shores of the Beaufort River.
1. Hollywood started it all
The festival began after the 1994 release of the film “Forrest Gump” that stars Hollywood A-lister Tom Hanks as Gump, an intellectually disabled man who leads a remarkable life including a stint as a shrimp boat captain. Many of the scenes in the movie were filmed in the Beaufort area.
2. It doesn’t get much bigger
Brandon says 18,000 people are expected over the festival’s two-day run. That’s second in size only behind the city’s summertime Water Festival, which is 10 days.
3. Run like Forrest Gump
The Run Forrest Run 5K Run/Walk — a nod to the famous line in the “Forrest Gump” movie — begins at 8 a.m. Saturday on Bay Street Street at New Castle in front the Best Western Inn. The route takes runners through iconic movie locations. Participants are encouraged to “get groovy” with theme costumes and unique outfits. Paul Dengler, a Gump impersonator who resembles Hanks, is a Shrimp Festival regular. Get a photo taken with him or an autograph at the race. Check out the 2024 Run Forrest Run 5K on Facebook for more information.
4. Place your bet on 5,000 racing shrimp
The 16th Annual Charity Shrimp Race is at 3 p.m. Saturday at Waterfront Park when 5,000 floating rubber shrimp are dropped into the Beaufort River from a working shrimp boat adjacent to Waterfront Park and float with the tide toward the finish line. Each shrimp is given a number. People buy sponsorships. The sponsor who picks the right number can take home a grand prize of $30,000. Donations are applied to Rotary services such as a dental care program for those who are under-served, uniforms programs for local elementary and middle schools and scholarships for local public high school seniors. To purchase a shrimp for your chance at the $30,000 grand prize, see www.seaislandrotary.org.
5. Eat shrimp -- lots of it
Food vendors will be set up across the park including Sea Eagle Market, Mother Smokin’ Good, Belly Full by Tyger, Nom Nom Poke Shop, Locals Raw Bar, Food Savvy, the Island Fudge Shoppe, Sassy Sweets, and Tasty Creations by Teen Challenge.
Craig Reaves of Sea Eagle Market estimates that about 2,000 pounds of white fall shrimp will be served. The city’s Brandon says vendors buy their own shrimp they need for their dishes and must provide receipts showing that it has been locally purchased.
Shrimp will be prepared in a variety of ways.
“Everything from shrimp fried rice to Frogmore Stew,” said Brandon, referring to “lowcountry boil,” the traditional South Carolina dish made with shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes and sausage.
6. Vote for best-tasting shrimp
Something different is planned this year, a “shrimp showdown” contest in which the vendors will compete for best shrimp dish, favorite shrimp restaurant and people’s choice.
7. Listen to live music (including Deaz Guyz)
This family-friendly festival will feature singers Alan Price at 5:30 p.m. and the ever popular Deaz Guyz at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night. The entertainers on Saturday include the Brewer Band at 11:10 a.m., Jason Lee Cook at 12:20 p.m. and Gritty FlyRight at 2:30 p.m.
8. Buy crafts from 40 artisans
An arts and crafts market will be both days — noon to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. Forty artisans will be offering hand-crafted items, including art, jewelry, clothing and wood working. On Saturday, enjoy the Coastal Education Fair from 11 a.m. -4 p.m.
9. Tickets and getting there
Admission is free. Food and beverage sales are 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-3:45 Saturday. The city has partnered with downtown tour companies to provide shuttles to the event. Two shuttle locations will be located at the Sheriff’s Office location at Bladen and North streets and the Beaufort County administration building at Ribaut Road and Boundary street.
10. Shrimp festival will have shrimp boats
Last week, the city announced that O’Quinn Marine would be installing eight pilings, set 6 inches from the seawall and spanning 150 feet at Waterfront Park to allow shrimp boats to tie up during the festival. Those pilings have been installed ensuring two boats will be tied up once again during the festivities, Brandon said.
The city has banned cruise ships from docking at the park seawall because of severe deterioration in the support structures below the waterline. The temporary pilings will allow the shrimp boats to tie up during festivals without coming into contact with the sea wall, the city says.
